Coffin



(No Model.)

B. GRUENINGER.

GOPFIN- No. 427,760. Patented May 13, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD GRUENINGER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,760, dated May 13, 1890.

Application filed February 19, 1890. Serial No. 341,038. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD GRUENINGER, a citizen of the United States. residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coffins, of which-the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to construct a coffin with a covering or casing of a highlyinflannnable material, the same being adapted to use in crematories for incincratin g the dead without removing the corpse from the coffin. As is well known, the coffins or caskets now in use are not adapted to crema tory purposes, and the corpse must be removed at the furnace, which is a very objectionable feature, and one which my invention entirely obviates.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the skeleton or frame of a coffin embodying my invention before the textile covering is applied; and Fig. 2 is a similar view with the covering applied, a portion of the latter being broken away. Fi .3 is a perspective view of one of the corner-posts, such as are preferably employed in connection with my invention. Fig. t is a perspective view of one of the side or end posts or supports as preferably constructed. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken at the dotted line 90 cc of Fi 2 through one side of the coffin.

My invention consists in covering a skeleton frame of a coffin (preferably of metal) *ith a suitable textile fabric of a highly-inflammable quality, in order to insure the ready combustion thereof.

The frame or skeleton to which the textile covering is applied is preferably constructed as follows: The top rail A and bottom rail B are separated and connected by means of suitable supports or posts O, the corner-posts having a perforated rib b, to which the coverin g is stitched. The top rail A is also preferably perforated with small holes (1, to which the cover may be stitched. To the bottom rail B are secured the cross-bars D, to which latter is secured a bottom of suitable combustible material, preferably of a textile nat ure, the same as the sides of the cofiin. It will be seen that the top and bottom rails A and 13 extend continuously around the top and bottom of the coffin.

After having constructed the skeleton the textile covering E is next stretched over the sides, bottom, and ends of the coffin and stitched to the top rail and corner-posts and, if desired, to the bottom rail. If desired, an additional cover F, of muslin or other suitable textile fabric, may be secured over the cover E, to which the ornamentation may be applied. After the co\'*ering is secured to place I preferably cover the top and bottom rails A and B with a thin piece of suitable metal G, screwed or otherwise suitably secured to said rails, in order to present a neat and finished appearance to the coffin. Y The coffin is covered with a suitable lid, consisting, preferably, of a frame or skeleton covered with a textile fabric similar to the body of the coffin.

lVhile it is preferred to construct the skeleton or frame of the coffin in the manner just described, any suitable form or construction of frame may be employed, to which the textile covering may be applied.

The advantages of my improved coffin for incin crating purposes are apparent. The textile covering will admit of the coffin being ornamented to a high degree, if so desired, and is highly inflammable, and so soon as the coffin, with its corpse, is placed in the furnace the covering will immediately be consumed, and renders no obstruction to the incineration of the corpse, which latter need not be removed from the coffin.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-'" having a skeleton frame of suitable material purposes set forth.

2. A colfin having a skeleton frame made up of rails A and B, posts 0, and bottom crosspieces D, connected substantially as set forth, said frame being covered with a textile fabric stitched to said rails and corner-posts, as set forth, and for the purposes specified.

3. In a coffin constructed substantially as set forth and. covered with a combustible material, the perforated rail A and corner-posts O, haviugthe perforated rib b, as set forth. ED WARD GRUENINGER. Witnesses:

J. M. EDWARDS,

STREHILI.

1. As a new article of manufacture, a GOffi'fr covered with textile material, as and for the 

